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Sean Strickland vows to make ‘dirty Brazilian’ Paulo Costa bleed in anticipated UFC 302 fight

Sean Strickland is going to make Paulo Costa bleed. On Saturday, June 1, Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the…

Sean Strickland is going to make Paulo Costa bleed.

On Saturday, June 1, Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey for a stacked night of fights headlined by a lightweight title clash between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and No. 4 ranked contender Dustin Poirier.

Also scheduled to go down that night is a high-stakes middleweight showdown between former titleholder Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.

Initially, Costa claimed that Strickland had turned down the proposed fight which prompted ‘Tarzan’ to clarify that he didn’t turn down the fight — he turned down the UFC’s lowball offer to fight on seven weeks’ notice. That has since been resolved, resulting in the bout being officially announced by Dana White during the UFC 300 post-fight press conference.

Gearing up for their summertime scrap, Strickland sent his opponent a message on Instagram in an unsurprisingly Strickland-esque way.

“You know, you guys, I like Costa. He’s a funny guy. He makes me laugh. He’s pro-free speech. I like that guy,” Strickland said in a video. “But I’m going to make that dirty Brazilian bleed. I’m going to do it for Brazil because Brazil doesn’t even like Costa. So, hey, Brazil, this is for you guys. Let’s get it done.”

Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa Looking to get back in the win column

UFC 302 will be Sean Strickland’s first fight since surrendering the 185-pound crown to current champ Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Tarzan’ lobbied hard for an immediate rematch with ‘Stillknocks,’ but with the promotion intent on booking DDP’s first title defense against two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya, Strickland will have to fight down in the rankings before bagging another shot at UFC gold.

Competing for the first time in a year and a half, Costa returned at UFC 288 for a fight with Robert Whittaker. ‘The Eraser’ came up short, suffering a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of ‘The Reaper.’

Israel Adesanya reflects on Sean Strickland’s Australian fan following at UFC 293: ‘They’re racists’

Israel Adesanya thinks Sean Strickland’s fans are just a bunch of racists — the ones in Australia anyway. Perhaps…

Israel Adesanya thinks Sean Strickland’s fans are just a bunch of racists — the ones in Australia anyway.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than Strickland’s dominant five-round showing against ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 293 was the overwhelming amount of support that ‘Tarzan’ received ahead of their unlikely title tilt. Dawning a Crocodile Dundee-style hat and a “for the people” t-shirt, Strickland captured the hearts of Aussies.

It was a frustrating realization for Adesanya who lives in New Zealand — a hop, skip, and a jump away from the land of Oz.

Looking back on Strickland’s unlikely fan following ahead of their September clash, Israel Adesanya labeled the former champ’s supporters in the country a bunch of racists before taking a dig at the outspoken star’s abbreviated title run.

“Nah, they’re racists,” Adesanya told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I think it was just me, them, it wasn’t my week. It was just him. He knows how to pander. He’s a great politician, I’ll put it that way. It was just his week, his moment to shine, and what a reign!”

An interesting take from the man who once questioned, “Who the f*ck is this cracker?” in reference to current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya unleashes some more on Dricus Du Plessis pic.twitter.com/VjdGcFmM8P

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) April 27, 2023

Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis likely for the UFC’s return to The Land Down Under

Israel Adesanya made it clear that he intends on evening the series with Sean Strickland sometime down the line. But first, he’s expected to square off with the “cracker” in a long-awaited title clash later this year.

Following a heated exchange at UFC 290, Adesanya and DDP were on an undeniable collision course until Strickland disrupted those plans with his shocking upset of the ‘Stylebender’ late last year.

Since then, ‘Tarzan’ has surrendered the middleweight strap to Du Plessis, once again putting him on a path that leads directly toward the division’s only two-time titleholder.

When and where that takes place is yet to be determined, but the promotion’s return to Perth, Australia for UFC 305 on August 18 is heavily rumored to host the 185-pound grudge match.

Check out Adesanya’s full appearance on The MMA Hour below:

Israel Adesanya wants to ‘test out’ Khamzat Chimaev if he gets past Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia

If Khamzat Chimaev can get past Robert Whittaker this summer, a fight with former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya…

If Khamzat Chimaev can get past Robert Whittaker this summer, a fight with former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya may be in his future.

On Saturday, June 22, ‘Borz’ will face his first true test at 185 when he meets one of the division’s most respected ex-champions. The Reaper’ is fresh off a big win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 and is potentially one W away from another crack at the middleweight crown.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on a recent episode of The MMA Hour, ‘The Last Stylebender’ declared that if Chimaev offers up an impressive showing against Whittaker, He might be enticed to sign on the dotted line for a showdown with the undefeated Chechen monster.

“If Khamzat [Chimaev] beats Rob [Whittaker], I want to test that,” Adesanya said.

Of course, Khamzat Chimaev isn’t the only middleweight on Adesanya’s radar. The New Zealander still intends on settling the score with the man who took his 185-pound strap in September — Sean Strickland.

“I’m gonna get Strickland again,” Adesanya added. “Definitely gonna get him again.“

Above all, Israel Adesanya has some business to handle with Dricus Du Plessis

Before Israel Adesanya handles business with Chimaev and Strickland, he’ll be tasked with taking out South African superstar and reigning middleweight champ, Dricus Du Plessis.

DDP and the ‘Stylebender’ appeared to be on a collision course ever since an uncomfortable staredown following Du Plessis’ win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.

However, those plans were dashed when Strickland delivered a dominant performance against Adesanya to win the middleweight title at UFC 293 in September. Since then, Strickland has surrendered the belt to DDP, once again putting the Du Plessis and Adesanya on a path of destruction.

When and where Du Plessis vs. Adesanya goes down is yet to be determined, but with Chimaev vs. Whittaker and now Strickland vs. Costa expected to go down over the next couple of months, things are going to get very interesting at the top of a loaded middleweight division.

Check out Israel Adesanya’s full appearance on The MMA Hour below:

Israel Adesanya wants to ‘test out’ Khamzat Chimaev if he gets past Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia

If Khamzat Chimaev can get past Robert Whittaker this summer, a fight with former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya…

If Khamzat Chimaev can get past Robert Whittaker this summer, a fight with former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya may be in his future.

“If Khamzat [Chimaev] beats Rob [Whittaker], I want to test that,” Adesanya said.

“I’m gonna get Strickland again,” Adesanya added. “Definitely gonna get him again.“

Above all, Israel Adesanya has some business to handle with Dricus Du Plessis

Before Israel Adesanya handles business with Chimaev and Strickland, he’ll be tasked with taking out South African superstar and reigning middleweight champ, Dricus Du Plessis.

DDP and the ‘Stylebender’ appeared to be on a collision course ever since an uncomfortable staredown following Du Plessis’ win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.

Check out Israel Adesanya’s full appearance on The MMA Hour below:

Sean Strickland settles fighter pay fiasco with UFC execs, agrees to meet Paulo Costa in June showdown

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland will be returning to the Octagon this summer. Strickland is coming off a…

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland will be returning to the Octagon this summer.

Strickland is coming off a split-decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis in January to lose his middleweight title. Since then, he has been campaigning for an immediate rematch, but all signs point to Israel Adesanya getting the next title shot.

With that, Strickland took to social media to blast fighter pay as he was disappointed with what the UFC was offering him. But, just a day after his rant, Sean Strickland took to X to reveal that he had a successful meeting with the UFC and he has agreed to face Paulo Costa.

Well had a meeting with the UFC and told them that I don't want to be rich. I want to be able to support a family after my career is done

They actually were pretty supportive, made it happen. Thank you fans!

Alright @BorrachinhaMMA you got your wish… Let's do some bleeding.

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 10, 2024

“Well had a meeting with the UFC and told them that I don’t want to be rich. I want to be able to support a family after my career is done They actually were pretty supportive, made it happen. Thank you fans! Alright @BorrachinhaMMA you got your wish… Let’s do some bleeding,” Strickland wrote.

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert Whittaker — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

According to MMAFighting, Strickland vs. Costa is now targeted to take place at UFC 302 on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. The main event of the card has not been revealed, but the event will feature a pivotal middleweight bout.

Paulo Costa responds to Sean Strickland

After Sean Strickland revealed he had a productive with the UFC and agreed to fight Paulo Costa, the Brazilian took to social media to react to the news, as he seems interested in the bout.

Strickland vs. Costa should be a very fan-friendly fight and one many fans will be looking forward to. But, until the contract is signed the fight is not official.

Sean Strickland rips Canadian MMA reporter in vicious tirade ahead of UFC 297 you're the enemy

Strickland is currently ranked as the No. 1 contender at middleweight while Costa is ranked seventh following his loss to Robert Whittaker in February. The winner of this fight could very well get a title shot next time out, which adds to the intrigue of the scrap.

Sean Strickland turned down lowball offer to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 302: ‘It’s cut throat in here’

Sean Strickland may be a former UFC champion, but he certainly isn’t being paid like one. Middleweight contender Paulo…

Sean Strickland may be a former UFC champion, but he certainly isn’t being paid like one.

Middleweight contender Paulo Costa recently accused Strickland of turning down a fight with him at UFC 302 when the promotion returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on June 1.

“Two days ago, UFC come back and say, ‘Paulo, you fight Strickland on June 1,’” Costa said during an appearance on The Coach And The Casual. “It’s a great fight. It’s a fun fight, ]more] than Cannonier, I think.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened,” Costa continued. “Strickland say, ‘No, he don’t want to fight me.’ Strickland, he refused to fight me, unfortunately. That’s what UFC told me. I just have this information from UFC. I think this fight would be great, I would love to fight him.”

“I never say no … I say ‘How much’ lol,” Strickland wrote on an Instagram, responding to Costa’s claim.

Sean Strickland Reveals the UFC’s Offer

Jumping social media platforms, ‘Tarzan’ took to X where he confirmed that he and the promotion were far apart when it comes to how much coin he would collect for a fight in The Garden State.

“Just fighting the UFC about pay lol it will get sorted soon or it’s gonna get weird man!” he wrote when asked for a fight announcement.

“Out of curiosity … what do you guys think I was offered to fight Costa on 7 weeks notice?” he asked his fans. “Base contract…..”

One person guessed $200,000 to show and $200,000 to win. Strickland replied, “Close, but less lol.”

“My man it’s cut throat in here,” he said to another fan who guessed $1 million. “99 percent of UFC fighters will never see a million their entire career.”

As a UFC champion, Sean Strickland may have very well cleared seven figures for his title fight with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 in January. Now that he’s no longer champion, ‘Tarzan’ will only see the standard base pay + win bonus. Given his status as a top contender and likely one big win away from another shot at the belt, it’s understandable that Strickland would want to be more cautious about when he fights.